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Glite Dictionary
vertiginous

vertiginous

2 9.6
A very high or steep place that makes you feel dizzy
  • adjective
  • /vɜrˈtɪdʒɪnəs/
translation icon : vertiginoso
  • Now tourists bungee jump from the center of that vertiginous span.

The next two hours, spectators experience the vertiginous pull and push of things.

Examples

  • Isabelle heard her own whisper as if from a long echoing distance, returned to her from the vertiginous valley below.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • The old city of Cuenca had been built in medieval times along the rim of the deep, vertiginous chasm.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Unfortunately, some people find the view from this height vertiginous.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • I stare into the night and feel the following sensation: vertiginous fear.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Feeling vertiginous, she closes her eyes, opens them again, and struggles to focus.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • The vertiginous sense of unreality seeped away as fast as it had come.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The view from the top of the mountain was vertiginous, making us feel dizzy as we looked down.

  • Standing at the edge of the vertiginous cliff, she felt her head spin from the height.

  • He experienced a vertiginous sensation while climbing the steep ladder to the roof.

Synonyms

dizzy
vsvertiginous
168 1.0

Feeling like the room or world is turning and you may fall

often implies that the feeling comes from very high or steep surroundings
woozy
vsvertiginous
29 5.7

Feeling dizzy and unsteady, as if you might faint

is more specifically used when the feeling comes from extreme height or steepness
giddy
vsvertiginous
3 4.9

Feeling dizzy and as if you might fall

highlights that this unsteadiness can stem from extreme height or steepness
dizzying
vsvertiginous
3 4.1

To make you feel your head is spinning or you might lose your balance

adds the idea of extreme height or steepness causing that sensation
head-spinning
vsvertiginous
  • Informal
3 6.8

Causes strong confusion and makes you feel overwhelmed

focuses more on dizziness from great height or steep places
whirly
vsvertiginous
  • Informal
1 8.6

Feeling dizzy and light-headed and unable to think clearly

adds the extra sense of being caused by very high or steep places
swirly
vsvertiginous
  • Informal
1 6.0

Feeling dizzy as if things are turning around you

is similar but often tied to feelings from great height or steepness
twirly
vsvertiginous
1 7.7

Feeling dizzy after spinning or excitement

can also describe the same sensation when caused by steep or high places

Antonyms

stable
473 2.3

Not likely to change and stays steady over time

level
1.0

Having a flat surface

How Dizzy

vertiginous
2 9.6
dizzying
3 4.1
dizzy
168 1.0
giddy
3 4.9

Surface Forms

vertiginous positive

Morphology

vertiginous = vertigo (transparent) = vertigin + ous

The adjective is formed from the noun 'vertigo' with the adjectival suffix '-ous', so a learner who knows 'vertigo' can infer 'causing or relating to dizziness'.

Etymology

Vertiginous comes from the Latin word vertigo, meaning 'a whirling', and from vertere, meaning 'to turn'. So something vertiginous makes you feel like you are turning or dizzy, which is why we use it for very high or steep places that make your head spin.